I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast! I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I now live by faith, lean on Hispresence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear! I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up stored up, and paid up of the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till I know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear.Henry b. Eyring

Operation: Testimony

This week has probably been one of the best weeks of my mission so far. What is so great to me about this statement is, it wasn't because we taught thirty lessons or found a huge family to teach, or even had a baptism. It was because I realized my conversion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!! I finally realized how far I have come. When I started my mission I could tell you I believed the gospel to be true. I could tell you I believed the Book of Mormon to be true. I could tell you why I thought The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints was true. However, this week, while on exchanges, I looked back and saw how far I have come. I can now say That I KNOW that Jesus is the Christ, and that I Love Him! I Know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God and is the truest work about Christ on the earth! I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true Church here on the earth. Out of all the other religions in the world I have learned that being a member of the Church is the best way to progress in this life. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will see my loved ones again after this life! I know that my family and I have been sealed together with a seal that is unbreakable from now until the eternities. I know that I love my Father in Heaven! I don't know why it has taken me nearly 18 months to figure that out, but I now know without a shadow of a doubt the Church is true! I invite all to come unto Christ and to open your minds and hearts to the spirit and look into the Church to see if it is true! This applies whether you are a member or not! I can promise you, you will gain a testimony if you: read the Book of Mormon, pray and ask if God is there, if he loves me, and if the Book of Mormon is true, and then go to church! If you do those three things with an open heart and mind you will receive a spiritual witness again that it is true. I testify of these things and that you will forever remember that testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Click on "testimony" to hear another testimony of Christ.

Parable of the Donut

So while I was serving in Petaluma a young women gave a talk and related the atonement of Jesus Christ to a Donut. I loved this story and I hope that you will also enjoy it.

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the Western United States.
Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular
institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year regardless of his or her major.
Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many pushups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know . . . I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind, and I need you to do about 300 pushups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.
Steve said, "Well . . . I think I can . . . yeah, I can do it."
Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."
Friday came, and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. Now these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.
Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten pushups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups, and Joe got a donut.
And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut, and down the second aisle, till Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?"
Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?" With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups.
Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Sternly, Jenny said, "No." Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more pushups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten, and Jenny got a donut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each pushup to make sure he did the full ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.
Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room.
He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set. Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups . . . You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on.
Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him?"
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut"
Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now.
Jason, do you want a donut?" Jason, new to the room hardly knew what was going on.
"Yes," he said, "give me a donut."
"Steve, will you do ten pushups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each pushup in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was profusely dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was no sound except his heavy breathing, there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.
Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.
When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve, here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work.
Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do pushups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your pushups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.
Steve, would you do ten pushups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."
Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant" said the professor, adding "Not all sermons are preached in words."
Turning to his class the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who spared not the only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all for the whole Church, now and forever.
Jesus getting scourged
Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid. Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it laying on the desk?"

I testify that the Savior truly did preform this atonement. I know He did. I feel every day as I strive to become better. I am so grateful to my Savior for that. I know Christ lives. I invite you to partake of the atonement in your lives daily by repenting and changing for the better. I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

VIRUS!!!!!!

 

This week one of our Recent Converts came down with a bad case of SD. SD is one of the worst virus's any one can have. The cause: a lack of attending church. If you haven't guessed by now, SD stands for being Spiritually Depleted. Our Recent Convert has a very bad case.

Becoming Spiritually Depleted is a very easy process that starts with, but is not limited to, not reading your scriptures, not praying, and not coming to church. Sadly, once this phenomenon starts its effects are very challenging to halt, Satan sees to that. Symptoms include feeling like no one cares about you, doubt and fear challenge your faith, and a sadness as the spirit retracts. 

To overcome this challenge we must be willing to humble our selves before our Heavenly Father and change. That change starts with a desire to pray(2 Nephi 32:8-9) and read(Alma 32:27). Slow and steady we must continue to grow our faith. As we continue to grow our faith Satan tries very hard to stop that growth. That attack is stifled as we make that last step and return to church. 

Church is so important in fending off the SD virus. In church we learn and grow with those of the same faith. We partake of the sacrament that cleanses us and provides us with the spirit. Once back into the habit, church is like a shield that will protect us from all of the symptoms of SD.

We can't stop going, after we become spiritually nourished we must continue going to church so that we can build up a resistance to SD. Like the cold, if we don't continue to take precautionary measures we will have it again and we will have to start the progress over. So continue fighting the sickness. I know you can do it. 

How do you overcome SD?

Rebuilding

September 11 is a day that will forever be remembered in the eyes of all people in the United States of America. We the people of the United States will forever look upon 9/11 as a day of sadness. One that will always be on the forefront of the minds of those who saw the event on that dreadful day. (please watch this video of Victor a 9/11 survivor)

I remember watching the planes hit the towers on TV. It was really a surreal feeling to know that right now those terrible things were happening. It was a day of sadness, but looking back I can also say it was one of pride for those brave men and women who lost their lives for others.(John 15:13)

New Twin Towers

Today, we are rebuilding those towers, not identical but stronger and better than ever before.

The twin towers will forever be in our hearts, may we never forget those brave men and women who gave their lives.

In a very similar way our spirits can be destroyed by Satan. He destroys our towers of character and faith. He does that by shooting us when we least expect it. When we are hit, we collapse due to the weight or our actions. We must repent to fix the problem. We then must rebuild, stronger then ever before by turning to Christ.


The love that Christ has for each of us, the love that allows us to repent, the strength to rebuild, and the ability to feel hope, is hear for everyone. If we are just willing to come unto our Savior and repent. I know that these things are true in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

My Story

 I hope I have worn our my welcome by now, I think  it's time that I tell the story of my conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

One of the greatest things about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the fact that every one who is born and raised in the church and those that are converted by missionaries receive a testimony of the Truth in one simple way. For every one it is the same. God truly is no respecter of persons. I had to find that truth the same way as anyone else. That way is given in Moroni 10:3-5.

I was born in the church to very awesome parents who taught me about the gospel. I grew up going to church and doing the things I was supposed to do except reading my scriptures and praying. The two most monumental things to do as a follower of Jesus Christ. So I grew up, doing my best to make my parents proud and to get through high school. Then came a monumental turning point, going to college.

When I went to college, and no longer under the guide of parental wings, I decided to stop going to church. With no church helping to keep me on the straight and narrow path, I began to waver in my testimony. I struggled with school, with relationships, and with self confidence. Everything I believed to be true was now questionable. Everything about the church was taken with a grain of salt. This continued till my last month at BYU. (yes all of this happened at a church university in Utah).

During that last Semester at BYU I was taking a class about the Book of Mormon and the class required me to read for 30 minutes everyday. So I did. At first I was just reading for the grade, but as I continued to read something peaked an interest about what is the truth. I decided that Iwanted to find out for my self, if the Book of Mormon was true, because if the Book of Mormon is true then the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is truly Gods church here on the earth.

It was during this time that I was going to church more regularly and reading my scriptures daily but I was still missing an important link to know the truth. That link is prayer.

One night I was alone in my room reading the Book of Mormon when I realized that I needed to know if what I was doing was right. I knelt down and I prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. The answer I received came by a quiet, peaceful feeling in my heart, confirming to me that what I was doing was right and that  Jesus is the Christ and that through Him all my burdens could be lifted. From that moment, my life has taken on a new light. I am happier, feel at peace, and am confident in my Heavenly Father.

I know that you can get the same answer because that is what our Heavenly Father has promised. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Dancing Chicken

One of the best analogies I have heard about the principle of agency (choice) came from a movie called "Pure Country". In the movie Dusty (George Strait), talks about how he feels about performing on stage. He is a successful music artist that has been living the high life. He reaches a point where he realizes that what he is doing isn't making him happy. He has lost the joy of the music.

Talking to his best friend, the drummer, Dusty asks his friend if he remembers the dancing chicken booth at a carnival. The boys, intrigued by what they saw, crept backstage and saw the owner twisting the knob on the burner underneath the stage. As the stage became warmer and warmer the chicken started dancing. Dusty then talked about how he was the chicken underneath a stage of fame and fortune and, like the chicken, he didn't know how to get off the stage. In the movie, he left the stage and career to again find himself and his heart in music.

On our stage, we choose which side we are going to stand on. Our choices bring us closer to the heat or closer to the peace that comes from our Savior. Christ has given us tools to be able to overcome any of those fiery darts(1 Nephi 15:24). Sometimes, however our choices lead us to consequences that cause us, like Dusty, to question, why we are dancing on the heat?

When we become like the chicken, dancing on the stage become hotter and hotter, Satan continues turning up the heat even when we don't notice. The only coolant to the fiery darts of Satan is the love of Christ. Through Jesus Christ we can be guided away from the Heat and toward the Peace the Christ offers. I testify that Jesus Christ brings answers, healing and sweet peace. He truly will help us as we strive to find our way  to our Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.